Gary Wilson in the Somerset County Courthouse in October 2009. Wilson will be sentenced today for his role in the May 2009 murder of Carolyn Stone in the backyard of her Bridgewater home.Matt Rainey/The Star-Ledger

SOMERVILLE — In the more than four years since a woman’s body was found behind her Bridgewater home, the cases against the three men charged in her killing have been marked by a continuing series of motions and hearings.

But one of the cases will be resolved today, when Gary Wilson, 30, of Bridgewater, is sentenced for his role in the May 2009 murder of Carolyn Stone.

During the attack, Stone was sexually assaulted, strangled and hit in the head with a cinder block, court documents state.

Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced today before Superior Court Judge John Pursel after pleading guilty in July 2011 to murder. The remaining charges against Wilson, including aggravated sexual assault, will be dismissed.

Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a 45-year prison sentence, of which Wilson would have to serve 85 percent before he becomes eligible for parole. The minimum sentence for murder is 30 years, and Wilson will likely receive credit for time already served.

Wilson also has agreed to testify against two co-defendants — Rocky DiTaranto, 27, and David Granskie, Jr., 26, both of Bridgewater. Their cases are still pending.

In a statement on Monday, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano attributed the delay in sentencing Wilson to the “extremely complex” nature of a murder case involving multiple defendants as well as “innovative defense theories,” “judicial resources” and “tactical considerations.”

Rocky DiTaranto during a July 2012 hearing at the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville. DiTaranto is accused in the May 2009 murder of Carolyn Stone.Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger

“Innovative defense theories have been vigorously advanced by co-defendants. Judicial resources in Somerset County — much like the rest of the state — are severely constrained,” Soriano said. “In addition, tactical considerations are a part of that mix. We believe, however, circumstances now appropriately permit us to move Mr. Wilson for sentencing.”

Wilson’s attorney, Christopher Kazlau, declined to comment on Monday.

The investigation into Stone’s death began in the early morning hours of May 24, 2009, when Wilson told his stepfather that he had killed a woman earlier that day, according to court documents. His stepfather then contacted Bridgewater police, court documents state.

Stone, 45, was found partially clothed with signs of severe trauma to her head and face, court documents state. Authorities said Stone was strangled and a cement block was smashed against her head, court documents state.

DiTaranto and Granskie later told authorities that they sexually assaulted Stone, who was intoxicated at the time, court documents state. Wilson has admitted to dropping a cinder block on Stone’s head twice, court documents state.

Granskie’s father was Stone’s boyfriend at the time, and Granskie lived with his father and Stone at the Bridgewater house where the attack occurred, court documents state.

David Granskie, Jr. stands with his then-attorney Katharine Errickson in this October 2009 appearance at the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville. Granskie is accused in the May 2009 murder of Carolyn Stone.Matt Rainey/The Star-Ledger

Their cases have been delayed in part because of a dispute over the statement that Granskie made to police, court documents state. Granskie is now challenging the admissibility of that statement, court documents state.

Granskie has retained an expert to support his claim that he made a false confession, because of his withdrawal from narcotics, court documents state.

In January, Granskie received approval to offer the expert testimony at a hearing to determine the admissibility of his statement, court documents state. But the prosecutor’s office is appealing that decision.

Prosecutors have indicated that Granskie’s statement is a critical piece of evidence and its admissibility will affect the prosecution of DiTaranto’s case.